Job 39:24

24 In frenzied excitement it eats up the ground; it cannot stand still when the trumpet sounds.

Job 39:24 in Other Translations

24 He swalloweth the ground with fierceness and rage: neither believeth he that it is the sound of the trumpet.

24 With fierceness and rage he swallows the ground; he cannot stand still at the sound of the trumpet.

24 It paws the ground fiercely and rushes forward into battle when the ram’s horn blows.

24 He quivers with excitement, and at the trumpet blast races off at a gallop.

24 He charges ahead with trembling rage; he cannot stand still at the trumpet's sound.

Job 39:24 Meaning and Commentary

Job 39:24

He swalloweth the ground with fierceness and rage
Being so eager for the battle, and so full of fierceness and rage, he bounds the plain with such swiftness that he seems rather to swallow up the ground than to run upon it;

neither believeth he that [it is] the sound of the trumpet;
for joy at hearing it; or he will not trust to his ears, but will see with his eyes whether the battle is ready, and therefore pushes forward. Mr. Broughton and others read it, "he will not stand still at the noise of the trumpet"; and the word signifies firm and stable, as well as to believe; when he hears the trumpet sound, the alarm of war, as a preparation for the battle, he knows not how to ^F1 stand; there is scarce any holding him in, but he rushes into the battle at once, ( Jeremiah 8:6 ) .

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FOOTNOTES:

F1 "Stare loco nescit". Virgil. Georgic. l. 3. v. 84. "Ut fremit acer equus" Ovid. Metamorph. l. 3. Fab. 10. v. 704.

Job 39:24 In-Context

22 It laughs at fear, afraid of nothing; it does not shy away from the sword.

23 The quiver rattles against its side, along with the flashing spear and lance.

24 In frenzied excitement it eats up the ground; it cannot stand still when the trumpet sounds.

25 At the blast of the trumpet it snorts, ‘Aha!’ It catches the scent of battle from afar, the shout of commanders and the battle cry.

26 “Does the hawk take flight by your wisdom and spread its wings toward the south?

Cross References

• 1. Numbers 10:9; Jeremiah 4:5,19; Ezekiel 7:14; Amos 3:6